EUCOM's State Partnership Program Promotes Democracy

David Haight is an infantry officer with more than 30 years of experience as a conventional and Special Ops leader in the United States Army. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a major in history and minor in military science, David Haight recently served as the Director of Operations (J3) for the US European Command (EUCOM). 

Responsible for maintaining the NATO alliance, EUCOM also promotes international cooperation through its State Partnership Program. A component of the National Guard Program, the State Partnership Program pairs US states with European countries in an effort to carry out security cooperation objectives and strengthen the principles of responsible government. 

The program began after the collapse of the Soviet Union and was designed with the intent of encouraging democracy and limiting instability in former Soviet nations. Since the program's creation, 22 US states have partnered with European nations, with Ohio and Serbia forming the most recent partnership in 2005.

About David Haight

An US Army infantry officer by trade, Major General David Haight was involved in conventional as well as special operations against the Taliban and Al Qaeda during his service in the U.S. Army. Most recently, he served as the director of operations for the U.S. European Command. In this position, David Haight coordinated military operations for the Department of Defense across 52 countries in Europe in collaboration with NATO and other U.S. governmental agencies.

Previously, David Haight served as the deputy regional commanding general in Regional Command-East, Afghanistan from 2013 to 2014. During that time, he witnessed the historic Afghan elections of 2014. He also advised and trained local police chiefs and commanding generals of Afghan forces.

David Haight's prior experience includes service as the deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence, as an executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as the commanding officer of an infantry brigade combat team consisting of six battalions and 4,000 soldiers. He holds master’s degrees from the U.S. Army War College and the U.S. Naval Command and Staff College in national security and strategic studies.

In his leisure time, David Haight enjoys boating, hunting, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his wife and four grown children.